Who chipped in and what they want

While there remains a certain measure of drama/suspense over the future of the Senate Majority Leader spot, the Democrats won the majority in spite of fewer resources and support from the big special interests (such as NYSUT, 1199, among others), who usually support the incumbents.

Not surprisingly, that is changing.

“Groups that traditionally backed Republicans more than Democrats are being much more responsive to us now than they were in the past,” said Doug Forand.

Another Senate Democratic source said that the phones starting ringing at DSCC headquarters soon after it was determined that Democrats won the Senate majority, and that donors who weren’t around before Nov. 4 are now offering to help pay down the Senate Democrats’ debt.

But a handful of special interests did chip in to help the Democrats during the election. Here’ s a roundup of a few of the major helpers, what they did and what they want.

1. The Working Families Party

The labor-backed WFP made it their #1 priority to help Democrats win the majority this year. They ran field operations for a number of campaigns, sending around 2,000 staffers and volunteers around the state to help out with the campaigns. For more, click here.

Public financing of campaigns for state races, similar to the system in NYC.

Reform New York’s rent laws.

Protect programs during the upcoming budget cuts.

Build a green economy in New York.

2. 32BJ

32BJ SEIU, the largest private sector union in the state, and sister union to the powerful 1199 SEIU healthcare union, committed upwards of $250,000 to the wider effort of helping the Democrats take control of the Senate. They donated to individual campaigns, gave money to the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, and did independent mail and television ads. For more, click here.

32BJ represents building maintenance workers and deals mostly with private real estate companies – and have had less interaction with state government compared with 1199, but the union is heavily invested in IDA reform legislatively.

3. UNITE HERE aka New York Hotel Trades Council

The New York Hotel Trades Council, a statewide 30,000-member union that represents hotel, restaurant, and service employees, traditionally backed the Senate Republicans, but switched allegiances for this year’s election.

The union contributed over $300,000 in donations, in-kind contributions, and fundraising in four state senate races – backing Democrats Brian Foley, Joseph Addabbo, James Gennaro, and “Baby Joe” Mesi. For more, go after the jump.

4. NARAL Pro-Choice

Invested heavily in the Democratic fight for the majority – donating campaign funds, staffing to the campaigns, running tv and mail. For more information, see after the jump.

What they want:

NARAL wants to pass legislation codifying Roe v. Wade in New York – 7 states have already done.

Expand heathcare access for women.

Reform sexual education in the state.

5. Empire Pride Agenda

The Empire Pride Agenda, a gay advocacy organization that has been working to pass a gay marriage bill in New York, invested heavily in the Senate races this year. They made endorsements, helped fundraise among their members. Alan Van Cappelle, who heads up the Empire Pride Agenda, helped to bundle hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Senate Democrats.

Empire Pride Agenda declined to comment about their activities during the campaign or their legislative priorities, which isn’t surprising given the current role that the issue of gay marriage is playing in the Gang of Three’s maneuvering in the Senate Majority Leader vote.

6. UNITE HERE

UNITE HERE, a statewide 30,000-member union that represents hotel, restaurant, and service employees, traditionally backed the Senate Republicans, but switched allegiances for this year’s election.

The union contributed over $300,000 in donations, in-kind contributions, and fundraising in four state senate races – backing Democrats Brian Foley, Joseph Addabbo, James Gennaro, and “Baby Joe” Mesi. For more, go after the jump.

SD-3 Foley/ Trunzo: In early July, New York Hotel Trades Council staffer joined the Foley campaign full-time as field director and Spanish speaking organizer for a substantial part of the district, including Brentwood and Islip. Also, the union donated over $75,000 (union and affiliates donated $42,500; raised $14,000; in-kind staff contribution to working families party)

SD-11 Gennaro/ Padavan: NYHTC staffer began assisting Gennaro full time in early October, responsible for outreach to NYC labor organizations, turning out multiple unions to volunteer. Donated over $24,000 (NYHTC and its affiliates donated $19,000; in-kind staff contribution)

SD-3 Foley/ Trunzo: Featured Foley in the voter guide, donated and sent staff to the campaign.

SD-15 Addabbo/ Maltese: Featured Addabo in the voter guide, donated and sent staff to the campaign. NARAL President Kelli Conlin logged robo-calls into 20,000 households and mailed 20,000 postcards to households in the district.

SD-11 Gennaro/ Padavan: Featured Gennaro in the voter guide, donated and sent staff to the campaign. NARAL President Kelli Conlin logged robo-calls into 20,000 households.

SD-56 Dollinger/ Robach: Featured Dollinger in the voter guide, donated and sent staff to the campaign. Ran a tv spot for him.

SD-61 Mesi/ Ranzenhofer: Featured Mesi in the voter guide, donated and sent staff to the campaign.

SD-6 McElroy/ Hannon: Featured McElroy in the voter guide, donated and sent staff to the campaign. Ran a tv spot for her.